Electronic credential signal activation systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Various electronic credentials comprising signal activation are disclosed. An electronic credential core comprises a controller configured to maintain an off-state until activated by a received signal during a personalization process. The electronic credential core further comprises an antenna configured to receive a first signal. The energy in the first signal is harvested by a signal interface. The signal interface generates a second signal using the harvested energy of the first signal. The second signal is provided to the controller. The controller transitions to an active state and continuously performs one or more functions until an onboard battery is depleted. By maintaining an off-state until personalization, the electronic credential can be stored without draining power from the battery, extending the shelf life of the electronic credential.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No.61/837,910, filed on Jun. 21, 2013, entitled “INDUCTIVE COUPLINGACTIVATION OF CHIP FOR A POWERED CARD OR ELECTRONIC DEVICE,” theentirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.,______Attorney Docket No. E7887-00046, entitled “INDUCTIVE COUPLING ACTIVATIONSYSTEM AND METHODS,” filed concurrently herewith, and which isincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods of inductivecircuit activation. More particularly, this disclosure relates tosystems and methods for signal activation of powered smart cards.

BACKGROUND

In the production and design of electronic credit cards (Smart Cards) orother powered credentials (such as, for example, passports, gift cards,debit card, identification cards, etc.), emphasis is placed onconserving battery power in order to prolong the life of the electroniccredential. Power consumption of the battery has traditionally beenconserved by limiting functionality and utilizing just-in-timemanufacturing practices to reduce the amount of time an electronic cardsits in inventory and depleting battery life.

In current manufacturing processes, when the circuit of the electroniccard is assembled, the circuit begins consuming power from an onboardbattery immediately. For example, in cards including capacitive buttons,the circuit continuously monitors for a capacitive change in the button(e.g., resulting from button depression). To monitor for a capacitivechange, an integrated circuit (IC) generates a voltage signal todetermine the capacitance at the button. If there is large enough changein capacitance, the card activates one or more additional functions. TheIC continuously polls the button to identify capacitive changes. Pollingmay occur every 1-2 seconds, depleting power from the battery when thecard is in storage and/or transit. In some cases, the capacitive buttonis activated during storage or transportation causing larger powerdrain. In current manufacturing processes, as soon as the battery isconnected to the circuit, the circuit begins to draw power from thebattery.

Activation of powered cards is normally performed by a mechanical switchor a capacitive sense switch. The switch may be pressed to generate aconnection allowing power to activate one or more card functions. Theswitch must be pressed by a user to activate the card. Pushing a buttonmay be difficult for the user, for example, due to resistive force,advanced age of a user, or physical ailment that prevents operation ofthe button, etc. Capacitive sense buttons do not provide the reliabilityneeded for some activations and use a large amount of power over thelife of the card, limiting the cards use for other applications.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, a circuit is disclosed. The circuit comprises anantenna configured to receive a first signal. A signal interface iscoupled to the antenna. The signal interface is configured to generate asecond signal in response to the first signal. A controller is coupledto the signal interface. The controller is configured to maintain anoff-state. The controller transitions to an active state in response tothe second signal.

In various embodiments, a method for activating an electronic credentialis disclosed. The method comprises receiving, by an antenna, a firstsignal. The method further comprises generating, by a signal interface,a second signal in response to the first signal. The second signal istransmitted from the signal interface to a controller. The controller istransitioned from an off-state to an active state in response to thesecond signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the followingdetailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It isnoted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry,various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of thevarious features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity ofdiscussion.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of an electroniccredential core configured for signal activation.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiments of a system for activating anelectronic credential core through signal activation.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of an electronic credit cardcomprising a circuit configured for signal activation.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process foractivating an electronic credential core.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of an electroniccredential core configured for swipe-activation.

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate one embodiment of a printed inductive coil.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate various embodiments of wound inductive coils.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiments of an electronic credit cardcomprising a swipe-activation circuit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process forswipe-activation of an electronic credit card.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of an electronic credit card.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally provides electronic credentials, suchas electronic credit cards, smart cards, electronic passports, and/orother electronic credentials, that maintain an off mode, or sleep mode,until the electronic credential has been processed into a personalizedsingulated credential. In some embodiments, the electronic credentialcomprises an antenna to harvest power from a signal. The harvested poweractivates one or more components of the electronic credential, such as,for example, a controller. When exposed to a predetermined signal, suchas a signal of a specific power, the controller executes one or moreoperations. The electronic credential card maintains an active modeuntil an onboard battery is depleted.

The present disclosure further provides electronic credentialsconfigured for swipe-activation. In some embodiments, an electroniccredential comprises an inductive coupling unit configured to generate asignal in response to an electromagnetic field. The inductive couplingunit may comprise, for example, a plurality of inductive coils. Thesignal generated by the inductive coupling unit is provided to acontroller. The controller performs one or more functions when a voltageof the generated signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. Thecontroller may transition to an off state after performing the one ormore functions.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of an electroniccredential core 2 configured for signal activation. The electroniccredential core 2 comprises a controller 4 configured to perform one ormore functions. One or more functions of the controller 4 may correspondto components and/or uses of the electronic credential core. Forexample, in some embodiments, the controller 4 is configured to monitora button (see FIG. 3), generate a one-time-passcode (OTP), displayinformation to a user, and/or perform any other suitable function. Thecontroller 4 is coupled to a battery 6. In some embodiments, the battery6 is omitted. Prior to activation, the controller 4 maintains an offstate, in which the controller 4 does not draw power from the battery 6.The controller 4 is configured to be activated by a signal, such as, forexample, a wireless signal. The controller 4 may comprise any suitablecontroller, such as, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, aprogrammable gate array, and/or any other suitable circuit orcombination thereof.

The electronic credential core 2 comprises an antenna 8 configured toreceive a first signal. The antenna 8 may be configured to receive anysuitable signal, such as, for example, an electromagnetic signal such asa radiofrequency (RF) signal, a microwave signal, an optical signal,and/or any other suitable signal. In the illustrated embodiment, theantenna 8 is configured to receive an RF signal. The first signal isprovided to a signal interface 10. The interface 10 generates a secondsignal in response to the first signal. The second signal comprises anactivation signal for the controller 4. For example, in someembodiments, the interface 10 harvests the energy in the first signaland generates the second signal comprising a voltage corresponding tothe harvested energy. The second signal is generated solely from theharvested energy and the signal interface 10 does not draw any powerfrom the battery 6. In some embodiments, the signal interface 10 and/oradditional circuit elements are configured to compare the first signalto one or more threshold values and generate the second signal when thefirst signal exceeds the one or more threshold values. The interface 10provides the second signal to the controller 4. In some embodiments thecontroller 4 executes one or more predetermined functions when thevoltage of the second signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as,for example, 0.5V.

In some embodiments, when the controller 4 receives the second signal,the controller 4 transitions to an active mode, The controller 4performs one or more functions that require the controller draw powerfrom the battery 6. For example, in some embodiments, after beingactivated, the controller 4 monitors one or more buttons, such as acapacitive sense switch. By maintaining the controller 4 in an off, orno-power state during storage and transportation, the electroniccredential core 2 can be produced and stored without draining thebattery 6, extending the shelf life and/or operational life. Theelectronic credential core 2 can be activated after an electroniccredential has been fully manufactured.

In some embodiments, when the controller 4 receives the second signal,the controller 4 temporarily transitions to active mode. The controller4 performs the one or more functions, such as, for example, generatingan OTP code or illuminating a display, and transitions back to the offstate after performing the one or more functions. The controller 4 onlydraws power from the battery 6 during performance of the one or morefunctions and then returns to the off state. In some embodiments, asecondary power source (not shown) is coupled to the controller 4 and/orthe interface 10 to power one or more operations of the controller 4without drawing power from the battery 6. The secondary power source maycomprise, for example, a secondary battery, a coin cell, an Enerchip, acapacitor, and/or any other suitable power source.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system for activating an electronic credential core2 configured for signal activation. The electronic credential core 2 canbe produced and stored with zero power use until activated. Theelectronic credential core 2 is activated when exposed to a signal 12.During activation, a signal 12 is generated by device 14. The signal 12is received by the antenna 8. The interface 10 harvests the energy inthe received signal and provides a voltage to the controller 4. In someembodiments, the signal 12 comprises personalization information forprogramming the electronic credential core 2.

In some embodiments, the signal interface 10 comprises a power convertorto harvest the energy in the first signal 12 and provide a second signalto an I/O pin of the controller 4. The second signal is generated by thesignal interface 10 without drawing power from the battery 6. Thecontroller 4 is activated by, for example, a signal having a voltagegreater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. After receiving thesecond signal, the controller 4 transitions to an active mode andcontinuously draws power from the battery 6. The controller 4 performsone or more functions, such as, for example, continuously monitoring acapacitive sense switch and/or generating an OTP code in response toactivation of the capacitive sense switch. In some embodiments, thecontroller 4 maintains an active mode until the battery 6 is depleted.In other embodiments, the controller 4 transitions to a lower powersleep mode after performing the one or more functions.

For example, in some embodiments, an electronic credential core 2 maycomprise a controller 4 configured to generate one-time-passcodes (OTP).A capactive switch (not shown) may be coupled to the controller 4. Priorto activation, the controller 4 maintains an off-state in which thecontroller 4 draws zero power from a battery 6 and does not monitor thecapacitive switch. When exposed to a predetermined signal, thecontroller 4 is activated by a signal interface 10. Once activated, thecontroller 4 continuously monitors the capacitive switch. When theswitch is pressed, for example, by a user, the controller 4 generates anOTP code for display to a user or other use (e.g., transmission) in atransaction.

In some embodiments, the first signal 12 contains personalizationinformation. The first signal 12 is received by the interface 10 andprovided to the controller 4. The personalization information may beprovided by, for example, one or more demodulators and/or signalconvertors in the interface 10. The personalization information maycomprise, for example, a credential (or card) number, a user name, anOTP algorithm, and OTP seed value, and/or additional personalizationinformation. In some embodiments, the signal 12 comprises an RF signal,such as, for example, a signal in the range of 13.56 MHz. Thepersonalization information may be stored by the controller 4, forexample, in persistent memory. The persistent memory may be integralwith the controller 4 and/or external from the controller 4. In someembodiments, the first signal 12 comprises an RF signal such as, forexample, an RFID signal. In some embodiments, the first signal 12 isgenerated by a contactless smart card device. In other embodiments thatdo not use an RF activation signal, the signal can be provided throughmating contact smart card pads.

FIG. 3 illustrates an electronic transaction card, such as a credit card100, comprising a circuit. The electronic credit card 100 comprises acontroller 104 configured to perform one or more functions. Thecontroller 104 is coupled to a battery 106. The controller 104 maintainsan off, or sleep, mode until the controller 104 is activated. In the offmode, the controller 104 does not draw power from the battery 106. Theelectronic credit card 100 comprises an antenna 108 configured toreceive a first signal, such as, for example, an RF signal. The antenna108 is coupled to a signal interface 110. The signal interface 110harvests the energy in the received signal and generates a secondsignal. The second signal is generated solely from the harvested energyand the signal interface 110 does not draw power from the battery 106.The second signal is provided to the controller 104. In someembodiments, the second signal comprises a voltage corresponding to theenergy harvested from the received signal. The interface 110 comprisesany suitable power conversion circuit, such as, for example, one or moreinductive coils, photovoltaics, piezoelectrics, antennas, and/or anyother suitable power convertor. In some embodiments, the controller 104requires a signal having a predetermined voltage to activate thecontroller 104. For example, in some embodiments, the controller 104 isactivated when the second signal comprises a voltage exceeding apredetermine threshold of 0.5V.

After receiving the second signal, the controller 104 transitions to anactive mode in which the controller 104 draws power from the battery106. For example, in some embodiments, the controller 104 draws powerwhile monitoring a button 116. When the button 116 is pressed, thecontroller 104 generates a one-time-passcode (OTP) and displays the OTPto a user by, for example, a 6-digit, 7-segment display 118 embedded inthe electronic credit card 100. In some embodiments, after receiving theactivation signal, the controller 104 performs one or more predeterminedoperations and returns to the off-state. In some embodiments, theelectronic credit card 100 comprises a swipe-activation circuit, such asa magnetic swipe strip programmed with static data or a magnetic stripeemulator that can be dynamically programmed with data and emulates astandard magnetic swipe stripe.

The electronic credit card 100 may be manufactured from an electronicpre-laminate core (or Core PreLam), such as, for example, the electroniccredential core 2 illustrated in FIG. 1. A method for manufacturing anelectronic credential, such as the electronic credit card 100, maycomprise: assembling an electronic core circuit, such as, for example,the electronic credential core 2; placing the electronic core circuitbetween PVC sheets to create an electronic core; storing and/or shippingthe electronic core; embedding the electronic core between one or moreadditional sheets of plastic comprising logos, identifiers, circuitry,etc.; forming the electronic core and one or more additional sheets ofplastic into a predetermined size; personalizing the credential withcustomer information; and shipping the electronic credential to acustomer. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/801,677, entitled“INFORMATION CARRYING CARD COMPRISING CROSSLINKED POLYMER COMPOSITION,AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME,” filed on Mar. 13, 2013, is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety. The electronic credit card100 may be manufactured utilizing hot and/or cold lamination processes.For example, in one embodiment, a hot lamination process comprisestemperatures of up to 180 degrees Celsius and a pressure of about125-400 lbs. per square inch for durations of up to thirty minutes. Insome embodiments, manufacture of an electronic credit card 100 comprisesexposure of a Core PreLam to vacuum and/or pressurization conditions.The electronic credit card 100 is configured to withstand themanufacturing conditions of the electronic credit card 100.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method ofactivating an electronic credential. In a first step 202, a first signalis generated by an activation device. The signal may comprise anysuitable signal, such as, for example, an RF signal. The signal maycomprise personalization information. In a second step 204, the firstsignal is received by an antenna. In a third step 206, energy in thefirst signal is harvested by a signal interface 10. In a fourth step208, the interface 10 generates a second signal from the harvestedenergy. In some embodiments, the second signal comprises a voltagecorresponding to the harvested energy of the first signal. The secondsignal is configured to activate a controller. In some embodiments, thesecond signal is configured to program the controller withpersonalization information received from the first signal. In a fifthstep 210, the controller performs one or more functions. In someembodiments, the controller performs the one or more functions until anonboard battery is depleted.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic credential core 302comprising a controller 304 configured for swipe-activation. Thecontroller 304 is configured to perform one or more functions. Forexample, in some embodiments, the controller 4 is configured to generateand display an OTP when activated. The controller 304 may be activatedby, for example, exposing the electronic credential core 302 to anelectromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field may be generated by,for example, a card reader such as a magnetic card reader and/or an RFIDcard reader. The controller 304 may be coupled to a battery 306 to powerthe one or more functions of the controller 304.

The electronic credential core 302 comprises an inductive couplingcircuit 308 coupled to the controller 304. The inductive couplingcircuit 308 inductively couples the electronic credential core 302 to anelectromagnetic field. The inductive coupling circuit 308 may compriseany suitable inductive coupling, such as, for example, an antenna, oneor more inductive coils, and/or any other suitable inductive couplingdevice. When the inductive coupling circuit 308 is exposed to anelectromagnetic field, the inductive coupling circuit 308 generates avoltage. The voltage may be provided to the controller 304 through oneor more input/output (I/O) pins.

The controller 304 performs one or more predetermined functions inresponse to a generated voltage from the inductive coupling circuit 308.For example, in some embodiments, the controller 304 generates an OTPwhen the voltage generated by the inductive coupling circuit 308 exceedsa predetermined threshold. The activation of one or more predeterminedfunctions by the inductive coupling circuit 308 is referred to asswipe-activation. The inductive coupling circuit 308 may be activatedby, for example, moving or swiping the electronic credential core 302through a magnetic field, such as a magnetic card reader, exposing theelectronic credential core 302 to a contactless reader, and/or otherwiseexposing the inductive coupling circuit 308 to an electromagneticsignal. Although the term “swipe-activation” is used herein, it will berecognized that any movement of the electronic credential core 302 maybe sufficient to activate the inductive coupling circuit 308. In someembodiments, the electronic credential core 302 may be exposed to achanging electromagnetic field and movement of the electronic credentialcore 302 may not be necessary to activate the inductive coupling circuit308.

In some embodiments, the battery 306 is omitted and the controller 304is powered solely by the inductive coupling circuit 308. The controller304 is coupled to the inductive coupling circuit 308. When the inductivecoupling circuit 308 is exposed to an electromagnetic field, theinductive coupling circuit 308 generates sufficient energy to power thecontroller 304 to perform one or more predetermined functions. Forexample, the inductive coupling circuit 308 may be configured togenerate a voltage sufficient to enable the controller 304 to generateand display an OTP code to a user. In some embodiments, the controller304 is coupled to a battery. The inductive coupling circuit 308activates the controller 304, which draws power from the battery 306 toperform one or more functions. The battery 306 may be configured topower a first set of functions and the inductive coupling circuit 308may be configured to power a second set of functions of the electroniccredential core 302. The battery 306 may comprise a rechargeablebattery. For example, the battery 306 may be coupled to the inductivecoupling circuit 308. When the inductive coupling circuit 308 is exposedto an electromagnetic field, the generated voltage is provided to thebattery 306 for recharging.

In some embodiments, electronic credential core 302 providespersonalization and programming of the controller 304 without activationof the battery 306. The inductive coupling circuit 308 receives one ormore signals comprising personalization information. The personalizationinformation may comprise, for example, a credential (or card) number,personal identification information, transaction information, and/or anyother suitable personalization information. When exposed to anelectromagnetic field, the inductive coupling circuit 308 may activatethe controller 304, program the controller 304, and transition thecontroller 304 back to an off-state to prevent the use of the battery306. In some embodiments, the controller 304 is programmed by theinductive coupling circuit 308 and remains in an off-state untilpermanently activated by an activation button coupled to the controller304 (now shown), for example, an activation signal received by anantenna

The inductive coupling circuit 308 allows for the elimination of buttonsfrom electronic credentials. When the electronic credential core 302 isexposed to an electromagnetic field, the inductive coupling circuit 308automatically activates one or more functions of the controller 304,eliminating the need for a user-initiated action, such as pressing abutton. Activating functions through inductive coupling using the powerof an existing electromagnetic field, such as the magnetic fieldgenerated by a magnetic card reader, provides advantages for ease of useand power consumption. By eliminating the need for activation buttons,power loss due to monitoring of one or more buttons can be eliminated,increasing the useable life of a powered credential. Swipe-activationfurther provides for additional functionality and use cases forcredential issuers to respond to and/or interact with a user when anelectronic credential is used, for example, at a point-of-sale terminal.For example, in some embodiments, an electronic credential may comprisea logo. The logo comprises one or more LEDS and/or other suitable lightsource. When the electronic credential is exposed to a changing magneticfield, such as, for example, being swiped at a point-of-sale terminal,the LED is activated to illuminate the logo. In some embodiments, anelectronic credential comprises a display. The display is activated bythe inductive coupling circuit 308 to display one or more messages, suchas, for example, “Thank You” after the electronic credential has beenused at a point-of-sale terminal. FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment ofan electrical credit card 350 comprising a swipe-activated logo,insignia and/or art work 352. The swipe-activated logo 352 comprises anillumination source. The illumination source may comprise any suitableillumination source such as, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED),a light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC), an electroluminescent wire,and/or any other suitable illumination source. The illumination sourceis coupled to an inductive coupling circuit, such as, for example, theinductive coupling circuit 308 illustrated in FIG. 5. When theelectronic credit card 350 is read through a wireless reader, such as amagnetic stripe reader or an RFID reader, the inductive coupling circuit308 generates a voltage for the illumination source which illuminatesthe swipe-activated logo 352. In some embodiments, the electronic creditcard 350 comprises a swipe-activated display.

In some embodiments, the inductive coupling circuit 308 comprises one ormore inductive coils. The inductive coils may comprise, for example, awound coil and/or a printed coil. FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate a process offorming a printed inductive coil 400. As shown in FIG. 6A, a bottom coillayer 402 a is printed on a substrate 404. The bottom coil layer 402 acomprises any suitable material, such as, for example, copper traces. Asshown in FIG. 6B, copper pads 406 and a dielectric core 408 are printedin a second layer. The copper pads 406 are coupled to the bottom coillayer 402 a. A top coil layer 402 b is printed over the dielectric core408 and coupled to the copper pads 406, as shown in FIG. 6C. FIG. 6Dillustrates the completed printed inductive coil 400. The core 408 isshown transparently for illustration purposes.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate various embodiments of wound coils that maybe suitable for inclusion in the electronic credential core 302. A woundcoil is created by a mechanical winding around a conductive corematerial. The mechanical winding is coupled to a printed circuit board(PCB), such as, for example, the electronic credential core 302. FIG. 7Aillustrates a coil 450 a comprising a conductive material 452, such as,for example, copper, wound about an insulating core 454. FIG. 7Billustrates a coil 450 b comprising a conductive material woundconcentrically.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of an electronic credit card 500comprising a circuit configured for swipe-activation. The electroniccredit card 500 comprises an controller 504 configured to perform one ormore predetermined operations when activated. For example, in someembodiments, the controller 504 is configured to generate an OTP anddisplay the OTP to a user. The controller 504 is coupled to a battery506. The electronic credit card 500 comprises one or more inductivecoils 508 a, 508 b coupled to the controller 504. The inductive coils508 a, 508 b are configured to generate a voltage when exposed to anelectromagnetic field, such as, for example, a magnetic field generatedby a magnetic card reader. In some embodiments, the electronic creditcard 500 comprises a magnetic strip (not shown) configured to be read bythe magnetic card reader. The first inductive coil 508 a may be locatedat a first end of the magnetic strip and the second inductive coil 508 bmay be located at a second end of the magnetic strip. When the generatedvoltage exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as, for example, 0.5V,the controller 504 performs one or more predetermined operations. Forexample, in some embodiments, when the inductive coils 508 a, 508 b arepassed through a magnetic field, for example, during a read operation ofthe electronic credit card 500 during a transaction, the inductive coils508 a, 508 b generate a voltage, activating the controller 504 togenerate an OTP for use in the transaction. In some embodiments, theelectronic credit card 500 is configured to display the generated OTP ona 6 digit, 7 segment display 518 formed integrally with the electroniccredit card 500. In some embodiments, the electronic credit cardcomprises a button 516 configured to activate one or more additionalfunctions of the controller 504. The button 516 may be omitted if allfunctions of the electronic credit card 500 are initiated throughconductive coupling.

In some embodiments, the controller 504 maintains a stand-by, or off,mode until activated by the inductive coils 508 a, 508 b. The controller504 transitions to an active mode and performs one or more predeterminedfunctions. After performing the one or more predetermined functions, thecontroller 504 may transition back to a lower power stand-by mode. Theone or more predetermined functions may comprise, for example,generating of an OTP and/or illumination of a logo.

In some embodiments, the plurality of inductive coils 508 a, 508 b arepositioned in proximity to a magnetic read strip (not shown) formed onthe electronic credit card 500. The inductive coils 508 a, 508 bcomprise manufactured components that fit at each end of the magneticstrip area to receive the magnetic field generated by read heads of amagnetic strip reader, such as, for example, a point of sale device. Theinductive coils 508 a, 508 b comprise a height corresponding to a formfactor of the electronic credit card 500. For example, in someembodiments the inductive coils 508 a, 508 b comprise a height ofbetween 11 mils and 16 mils, and, more particularly, may comprise aheight of 12 mils. Those skilled in the art will recognize that formfactors other than the electronic credit card 500 may comprise larger orsmaller inductive coils 508 a, 508 b.

In some embodiments, for an OTP card, such as the electronic credit card500, to generate OTP values, an initial seed value must be provided. Theinitial seed value may be stored in persistent memory on the electroniccredit card 500. In some embodiments, the OTP seed value is replacedeach time an OTP is generated. In an event based OTP algorithm, acounter is set for the seed value and is incremented with eachgeneration of an OTP value. In a previous value algorithm, the OTP seedvalue is set to the previously generated OTP value. In some embodiments,the OTP seed value is provided to the electronic credit card 500 throughinductive coupling.

The electronic credit card 500 may comprise persistent memory forstoring an OTP seed value and/or an OTP algorithm. An initial and/orcurrent OTP seed value may be transmitted to the persistent memory by,for example, a dual interface microcontroller 512. The dual interfacemicrocontroller 512 may support one or more communication protocols fortransmitting and/or receiving an OTP seed value, such as, for example,ISO/IEC 14443 and/or ISO/IEC 7816. The use of, for example, the ISO/IEC14443 communication protocol allows existing hardware and softwaresystems to be used as seeding stations for the electronic credit card400. The dual interface microcontroller 512 may comprise any suitablemicrocontroller, such as, for example, an NXP SmartMx dual interfacecontroller.

In some embodiments, the dual interface microcontroller 512 is coupledto the inductive coils 508 a, 508 b and/or an antenna 514 to receive anOTP seed value. The dual interface microcontroller 512 temporarilystores an updated seed value in persistent memory formed integrally withthe dual interface microcontroller 512. When the controller 504 isactivated, either temporarily or permanently, the controller 504 loadsthe OTP seed value from the dual interface microcontroller 512 andstores the seed value in persistent memory formed integrally with thecontroller 504. In some embodiments, the dual interface microcontroller512 is inductively powered by the inductive coils 508 a, 508 b and isnot coupled to the battery 506.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method 600 forswipe-activation of an electronic credential. In a first step 602, aninductive coupling circuit of an electronic credential card is exposedto a changing electromagnetic field. In some embodiments, the change inthe electromagnetic field is generated by the movement of the electroniccredential card through a magnetic field of a magnetic card reader. In asecond step 604, a voltage is generated by the inductive couplingcircuit. In a third step 606, the voltage is received by a controller.If the voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as, for example,0.5V, the method proceeds to a fourth step 608. In the fourth step 608,the controller executes one or more predetermined functions. Forexample, in some embodiments, the controller generates an OTP code andprovides the OTP code to a user and/or a point-of-sale device. In anoptional fifth step 610, after performing the one or more predeterminedfunctions, the controller transitions to a stand-by mode until theelectronic credit card is exposed to an electromagnetic field sufficientto generate the predetermined voltage.

Embodiments of electronic credentials described herein have aconfiguration and design that allows the electronic credential tomaintain an off, or no-power state, until the electronic credential isexposed to an activation signal. The activation signal causes acontroller of the electronic credential to activate and perform one ormore predetermined functions. For example, in some embodiments, theelectronic credential comprises an antenna configured to receive an RFsignal. When the antenna receives the RF signal, a signal interfaceharvests the energy in the RF signal to generate an activation signalfor a controller. The controller is activated by the activation signaland performs one or more functions.

Other embodiments of electronic credentials described herein have aconfiguration and design that provides for swipe-activation of theelectronic credential. The electronic credentials comprise a circuithaving a controller and an inductive coupling circuit. The inductivecoupling circuit generates a signal when exposed to an electromagneticfield. For example, when the electronic credential is processed by apoint-of-sale terminal having a magnetic card reader, the inductivecoupling circuit generates a signal in response to the generatedmagnetic field. The generated signal is provided to the controller. Thecontroller performs one or more functions in response to the generatedsignal. The inductive coupling circuit allows electronic credentials tobe manufactured and used without buttons.

Other embodiments and uses of the systems and methods described hereinwill be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of thespecification and practice of the systems and methods described. Alldocuments referenced herein are specifically and entirely incorporatedby reference. The specification should be considered exemplary only withthe true scope and spirit of the invention indicated by the followingclaims. As will be easily understood by those of ordinary skill in theart, variations and modifications of each of the disclosed embodimentscan be easily made within the scope of this invention as defined by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A circuit comprising: an antenna configured toreceive a first signal; a signal interface coupled to the antenna, thesignal interface configured to generate a second signal in response tothe first signal; a controller coupled to the signal interface, thecontroller configured to maintain an off-state, wherein the controllertransitions to an active state in response to the second signal.
 2. Thecircuit of claim 1, further comprising a battery coupled to thecontroller, wherein in the off-state the controller does not draw powerfrom the battery, and wherein in the active state the controller drawspower from the battery.
 3. The circuit of claim 2, wherein the firstsignal comprises a radiofrequency signal.
 4. The circuit of claim 2,wherein the signal interface is configured to harvest energy from thefirst signal to generate the second signal.
 5. The circuit of claim 4,wherein the second signal comprises a voltage corresponding to theharvested energy of the first signal.
 6. The circuit of claim 5, whereinthe controller transitions to the active state when the voltage of thesecond signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.
 7. The circuit of claim6, comprising a button, wherein the controller is configured to monitorthe button when in the active state.
 8. The circuit of claim 7, whereinthe circuit is contained within a pre-laminate core for use inmanufacturing a smart card.
 9. The circuit of claim 2, wherein the firstsignal comprises personalization information, and wherein the signalinterface is configured to provide the personalization information tothe controller to program the controller.
 10. A method for activating anelectronic credential, the method comprising: receiving, by an antenna,a first signal; generating, by a signal interface, a second signal inresponse to the first signal; transmitting the second signal from thesignal interface to a controller; and transitioning, by the controller,from an off-state to an active state in response to the second signal.11. The method of claim 10, wherein generating the second signal furthercomprises harvesting, by the signal interface, energy in the firstsignal, wherein the second signal is generated using the harvestedenergy.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second signal comprisesa voltage corresponding to the harvested energy.
 13. The method of claim12, wherein the controller transitions to the active state when thevoltage of the second signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.
 14. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the first signal comprises personalizationinformation, the method further comprising: receiving, by the signalinterface, the personalization information; and programming thecontroller using the received personalization information.
 15. Themethod of claim 9, wherein transitioning to the active mode comprisesdrawing power from a battery to perform one or more predeterminedfunctions.
 16. A system for electronic card manufacture, comprising: acard programming device configured to generate a first signal comprisingpersonalization information; and an electronic card core comprising: anantenna configured to receive the first signal; a signal interfacecoupled to the antenna, the signal interface configured to generate asecond signal in response to the first signal; a controller coupled tothe signal interface, the controller configured to maintain anoff-state, wherein the controller transitions to an active state inresponse to the second signal.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein thesignal interface is configured to program the controller with thepersonalization information.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein thepersonalization information comprises at least one of a credentialnumber, a one-time-passcode seed value, user information, or anycombination thereof.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the firstsignal comprises a radiofrequency signal.
 20. The system of claim 19,wherein the signal interface is configured to harvest energy from thefirst signal to generate the second signal, and wherein the secondsignal comprises a voltage corresponding to the harvested energy of thefirst signal.